Stockinette

Stockinette is a basic knitting stitch and the fabric it creates. In its most common form, it is produced by knitting every stitch of every row in flat knitting, or by knitting every round when working in the round. The resulting fabric has a smooth, even surface on the right side, characterized by a field of V-shaped knit stitches, and a different texture on the wrong side, where purl bumps produce a ridged appearance. When knitted in the round, the fabric typically presents the same smooth surface on both sides since every round forms knit stitches.

Key characteristics of stockinette fabric include its smooth face and its tendency to curl at the edges, especially at the top and bottom edges. Curling can affect the lay of the fabric, so knitters often offset it with edging techniques such as ribbing or garter stitches. The fabric drape and elasticity depend on yarn weight, fiber content, and knitting gauge.

Common uses include simple garment components such as scarves, sweaters, and hats, as well as serving as a neutral background for more complex stitch patterns. The term stockinette is used for both the stitch (the method of knitting rows) and the fabric produced, with the British English term stocking stitch commonly used as a synonym.

Origins of the term trace to early stockings, reflecting the historical association between this stitch pattern and knitted hosiery. Today, stockinette remains one of the most widely used foundations in knitting projects.